Damien Abad: Difference between revisions

Damien Abad
Damien Abad
	Abad in 2017
Member of the National Assembly; for Ain's 5th constituency
	In office; 20 June 2012 – 9 June 2024
Preceded by	Constituency established
Succeeded by	Marc Chavent
Minister of Solidarity
	In office; 20 May 2022 – 4 July 2022
President	Emmanuel Macron
Prime Minister	Élisabeth Borne
Preceded by	Olivier Véran (solidarity); Brigitte Bourguignon (personal independence); Sophie Cluzel (disabled)
Succeeded by	Jean-Christophe Combe
Leader of The Republicans in the National Assembly
	In office; 6 November 2019 – 19 May 2022
Preceded by	Christian Jacob
Succeeded by	Éric Ciotti
Member of the Departmental Council of Ain ; for Canton of Pont-d'Ain
	Incumbent
	Assumed office ; 2 April 2015
President of the Departmental Council of Ain
	In office; 2 April 2015 – 10 July 2017
Preceded by	Rachel Mazuir
Succeeded by	Jean Deguerry
Member of the European Parliament for South-East France
	In office; 14 July 2009 – 17 June 2012
Personal details
Born	5 April 1980 (age 44); Nîmes, France
Political party	Independent (2022–present)
Other political; affiliations	UDF (until 2007); NC (2007–2012); UMP (2012–2015); LR (2015–2022)
Alma mater	IEP de Bordeaux; Sciences Po

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Damien Abad (French pronunciation: [damjɛ̃ abad]; born 5 April 1980) is a French politician who briefly served as Minister of Solidarity in the government of Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne in 2022.^[1]^[2]

Abad previously served as Member of the National Assembly for Ain's 5th constituency from 2012 to 2024, where he was the president of The Republicans group from 2019 to 2022.

As part of the Union for French Democracy, New Centre and then the Union for a Popular Movement, which was later renamed The Republicans, Abad also served as municipal councilor of Vauvert from 2008 to 2010, Member of the European Parliament for South-East France from 2009 to 2012, regional councilor of Rhône-Alpes from 2010 to 2015 and president of the departmental council of Ain from 2015 to 2017.

Education and family

Abad's parents live in Aubord in the department of Gard.^[3] His father works as a purchasing manager in a large company and comes from a family that had fled Francoist Spain, while his mother is a social worker and gymnastics teacher.^[4]^[5]

In secondary school, Abad attended the Vallée Verte college and the Lycée Alphonse-Daudet before beginning his university education at Sciences Po Bordeaux. He graduated from Sciences Po in Paris in 2004 and then became a lecturer for the school.

Abad has arthrogryposis, a rare disease and physical disability. Many media outlets consider him the only or even the first member of the National Assembly to be disabled.^[6]^[7]^[8]

Political career

Beginnings in the UDF and New Centre, 2006–2009

In 2006, Abad was put in charge of budgetary and fiscal studies in the Union for French Democracy (UDF) group and then the New Centre group in the National Assembly.^[9] He was a candidate for Yvelines' 5th constituency in the 2007 French legislative elections, where he won 3.17% of the vote.^[10] In 2008, Abad founded the Young Centrists movement, which was affiliated with the New Centre, and was virtually unanimously elected its first president in May.^[11] He left this position to become joint General Secretary of New Centre in 2010.

In 2008, Abad was elected to the municipal council of Vauvert on the list of mayor Gérard Gayaud. He then resigned after winning a seat on the regional council of Rhône-Alpes, where he sat on the Employment, Economy, Social and Solidarity Economy, and Social Innovation Committee as well as the Sports and Youth Committee.^[12]^[13]

Member of the European Parliament, 2009–2012

In the 2009 European elections, Abad was elected Member of the European Parliament on the Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) list in the South-East France constituency, with the UMP having formed an alliance with New Centre for the elections. At the age of 29, Abad became the youngest French MEP, the youngest French parliamentarian in office and one of the youngest elected members of the European Parliament.^[14] During his time in parliament, he frequently spoke about economic issues, especially in terms of industrial policy, social services and consumer protection. He also founded the youth intergroup and served on the Committee on Budgets (2009–2012) and on the Committee on International Trade (2012). In addition to his committee assignments, he was part of the parliament's delegation for relations with the Palestinian Legislative Council.^[15]^[16] Abad's MEP office was located in Bourg-en-Bresse.^{[citation needed]}

On 2 April 2015, Abad was elected as the President of the departmental council of Ain.^[17] Due to the limitation of the plurality of the mandates, he resigned from his position on 10 July 2017.^[18]

Member of the National Assembly, 2012–2024

In the 2012 French legislative elections, Abad ran to represent Ain's 5th constituency as a member of the Union for a Popular Movement. He was elected with 28.79% of the vote in the first round and 56% in the second round against Socialist candidate Josiane Exposito.^[19]^[20] During that year's election of the President of the National Assembly, Abad was chosen as secretary of the session as one of the six youngest members.

Abad was reelected to the National Assembly in the 2017 French legislative elections.^[21] He subsequently stood as a candidate for the presidency of The Republicans group in the Assembly against Christian Jacob, who won with 62 votes against Abad's 32.^[22] Abad was then appointed as the group's first vice-president, serving from 2017 to 2019.^[23]

Abad serves on the National Defence and Armed Forces Committee, the European Affairs Committee and the Working Group on the Legislative Procedure, Parliamentary Organization and the Rights of the Opposition.^[24]^[25] He is also vice-president of the France-China Friendship Group.^[26]

In addition to his work in parliament, Abad has served as member of the French delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe from 2014 until 2017 and since 2017. In this capacity, he is a member of the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development.^[27]

In The Republicans' 2016 presidential primaries, Abad endorsed Bruno Le Maire as the party's candidate for President of France.^[28] In the party's 2017 leadership election, he endorsed Laurent Wauquiez.^[29]

Following Christian Jacob's election as president of The Republicans, Abad again ran for the leadership of the party's parliamentary group in November 2019. He won by 64 votes over Olivier Marleix, who received 37 votes.^[30] The news website Contexte commented that the result represented an end to the "old divisions between "Sarkozystes," "Fillonistes" and "Juppéistes,"" with Abad being able to present "a profile that reassures members of the National Assembly of the old generation without cutting off those who were newly elected in 2017, who form half of the party's parliamentary group."^[31] It also noted Abad's "positioning as an independent man" who "owes nothing to Christian Jacob," while Marleix had suffered from a report in Le Canard enchaîné portraying him as the previous leader's handpicked candidate.^[32]

At The Republicans' national convention in December 2021, Abad was part of the 11-member committee which oversaw the party's selection of its candidate for the 2022 presidential elections.^[33] He himself endorsed Xavier Bertrand for Republican nominee.^[34]

He was reelected in the 2022 election. In the 2024 election, he came third in the first round, and lost his seat.

Political positions

In July 2019, Abad voted against the French ratification of the European Union's Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with Canada.^[35]

In a joint letter initiated by Norbert Röttgen and Anthony Gonzalez ahead of the 47th G7 summit in 2021, Abad joined some 70 legislators from Europe and the US in calling upon their leaders to take a tough stance on China and to "avoid becoming dependent" on the country for technology including artificial intelligence and 5G.^[36]

Controversy

According to an investigation published by Mediapart on May 21, 2022, Abad has been implicated by two women, unrelated to each other, for acts of rape which they believe occurred in 2010 and 2011. A report was sent on May 16 to those responsible for the two parties Les Républicains and Renaissance by the Observatory of sexist and sexual violence in politics. Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne assured that she discovered the existence of the report in Mediapart.^[37] On May 20, Christophe Castaner denied having received the report. The Paris prosecutor's office confirmed the existence of two complaints filed by the same complainant and dismissed in 2012 and 2017.

In a letter also published by Mediapart, Abad rejected the accusations and "strongly affirms that the sexual relations that [he has] been able to have have always been based on the principle of mutual consent". He affirmed that his handicap makes impossible a certain number of the acts which are reproached to him, the presumed victims affirming for their part that he uses his handicap to make them feel guilty.^[38]

In June 2022, the Paris prosecution office opened an investigation into Abad, on suspicion of attempted rape.^[39]

References

^ Clea Caulcutt (20 May 2022), France's UK ambassador promoted to foreign minister in Macron reshuffle Politico Europe.
^ Ingrid Melander and Benoit Van Overstraeten (4 July 2022), 'Hang in there', Macron tells ministers in minority government Reuters.
^ "ASSEMBLÉE Damien Abad, un Gardois pour présider les députés Les Républicains". Objectif Gard (in French). 2019-11-06. Retrieved 2022-04-05.
^ "Damien Abad: l'enfant handicapé devenu homme politique". www.vivrefm.com (in French). Retrieved 2022-04-05.
^ à 07h00, Par Le 3 décembre 2012 (2012-12-03). "Handicapé mais député comme les autres". leparisien.fr (in French). Retrieved 2022-04-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ "Damien Abad: "L'important pour un député, c'est de ne pas se couper du terrain"". www.lexpress.fr (in French). 2012-06-20. Retrieved 2022-04-05.
^ Forêt, Élodie (2020-02-11). ""Le handicap doit entrer dans le droit commun": portrait de Damien Abad, premier (et seul) député handicapé". www.franceinter.fr (in French). Retrieved 2022-04-05.
^ à 07h00, Par Le 3 décembre 2012 (2012-12-03). "Handicapé mais député comme les autres". leparisien.fr (in French). Retrieved 2022-04-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ Abad, Damien. "Portrait". Damien Abad. Archived from the original on 2 May 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^ "Résultats des élections législatives 2007".
^ "Damien Abad, ex-centriste devenu UMP, prend la tête de l'Ain". Le Monde.fr (in French). 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2022-04-05.
^ "Régionales: l'UMP a découvert son leader, Damien Abad". Le Progrès. 23 January 2010. Archived from the original on 26 January 2010. Retrieved 10 April 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^ Rhône-Alpes, Région Auvergne. "Tribunes des groupes politiques". www.auvergnerhonealpes.fr (in French). Retrieved 2022-04-05.
^ La Depeche. "Damien Abad en passe de devenir le benjamin des euro-députés" (in French). La Depeche. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
^ Damien Aband European Parliament.
^ "Les " intergroupes ", face cachée du travail parlementaire". www.europarl.europa.eu (in French). Retrieved 2022-04-05.
^ "Damien Abad élu président du conseil départemental" (in French). Ain. Le Progress. April 2, 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2017. Translation: "Unsurprisingly, Damien Abad (UMP), leader of the right and center, and only candidate in the running, was elected president of the county council of Ain by 42 votes for and 4 white ballots."
^ Sandra Méallier. "Ain: Jean Deguerry remplace Damien Abad à la présidence du Département". France 3 Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (in French). france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
^ "Résultats des élections législatives 2012". l'express (in French). Retrieved 4 May 2017.
^ "AIN (5)". Le Monde.fr (in French). 2012-06-18. Retrieved 2022-04-05.
^ Isabelle Gonzalez (18 June 2017). "Damien Abad (LR) réélu haut la main dans la 5e circonscription de l'Ain" (in French). france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
^ "Christian Jacob réélu président du groupe Les Républicains de l'Assemblée Nationale". Europe 1 (in French). 21 June 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
^ "Le groupe LR de l'Assemblée joue la carte du renouvellement - Contexte". www.contexte.com (in French). Retrieved 2022-04-05.
^ "PROCÉDURE LÉGISLATIVE ET ORGANISATION PARLEMENTAIRE ET DROITS DE L'OPPOSITION". National Assembly (in French). Retrieved 5 November 2017.
^ "Composition de la commission de la défense nationale et des forces armées". National Assembly (in French). Retrieved 5 November 2017.
^ "Composition du groupe d'amitié France-Chine". National Assembly (in French). Retrieved 5 November 2017.
^ Damien Abad Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
^ Ludovic Vigogne (April 20, 2016), Bataillons: Primaire à droite: la liste des premiers soutiens parlementaires L'Opinion.
^ Ludovic Vigogne (October 11, 2017), La liste des 136 parrains de Laurent Wauquiez L'Opinion.
^ Ludovic Vigogne (Novembre 6, 2019), Couronnement: A l'Assemblée, Damien Abad devient le nouveau patron des députés LR L'Opinion.
^ "Christian Jacob réélu président du groupe Les Républicains de l'Assemblée Nationale". Europe 1 (in French). 21 June 2017. Retrieved 2022-04-10.
^ "Le groupe LR de l'Assemblée joue la carte du renouvellement - Contexte". www.contexte.com (in French). Retrieved 2022-04-10.
^ Ludovic Vigogne (12 October 2021), Congrès LR: après le oui de Bertrand, les choses sérieuses commencent L'Opinion.
^ Dinah Cohen (14 October 2021), Congrès LR : Damien Abad apporte son soutien à Xavier Bertrand Le Figaro.
^ Maxime Vaudano (24 July 2019), CETA : qui a voté quoi parmi les députés Le Monde.
^ Stuart Lau (January 25, 2021), G7 lawmakers tell leaders to 'stand up' to China Politico Europe.
^ Sybille de La Hamaide and Elizabeth Pineau (22 May 2022), Newly appointed French minister denies rape accusations Reuters.
^ Sybille de La Hamaide and Elizabeth Pineau (22 May 2022), Newly appointed French minister denies rape accusations Reuters.
^ Tassilo Hummel and Elizabeth Pineau (29 June 2022), French prosecutors investigate government minister after rape accusations Reuters.

[1] Clea Caulcutt (20 May 2022), France's UK ambassador promoted to foreign minister in Macron reshuffle Politico Europe.

[2] Ingrid Melander and Benoit Van Overstraeten (4 July 2022), 'Hang in there', Macron tells ministers in minority government Reuters.

[3] "ASSEMBLÉE Damien Abad, un Gardois pour présider les députés Les Républicains". Objectif Gard (in French). 2019-11-06. Retrieved 2022-04-05.

[4] "Damien Abad: l'enfant handicapé devenu homme politique". www.vivrefm.com (in French). Retrieved 2022-04-05.

[5] à 07h00, Par Le 3 décembre 2012 (2012-12-03). "Handicapé mais député comme les autres". leparisien.fr (in French). Retrieved 2022-04-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[6] "Damien Abad: "L'important pour un député, c'est de ne pas se couper du terrain"". www.lexpress.fr (in French). 2012-06-20. Retrieved 2022-04-05.

[7] Forêt, Élodie (2020-02-11). ""Le handicap doit entrer dans le droit commun": portrait de Damien Abad, premier (et seul) député handicapé". www.franceinter.fr (in French). Retrieved 2022-04-05.

[8] à 07h00, Par Le 3 décembre 2012 (2012-12-03). "Handicapé mais député comme les autres". leparisien.fr (in French). Retrieved 2022-04-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[9] Abad, Damien. "Portrait". Damien Abad. Archived from the original on 2 May 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)

[10] "Résultats des élections législatives 2007".

[11] "Damien Abad, ex-centriste devenu UMP, prend la tête de l'Ain". Le Monde.fr (in French). 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2022-04-05.

[12] "Régionales: l'UMP a découvert son leader, Damien Abad". Le Progrès. 23 January 2010. Archived from the original on 26 January 2010. Retrieved 10 April 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)

[13] Rhône-Alpes, Région Auvergne. "Tribunes des groupes politiques". www.auvergnerhonealpes.fr (in French). Retrieved 2022-04-05.

[14] La Depeche. "Damien Abad en passe de devenir le benjamin des euro-députés" (in French). La Depeche. Retrieved 5 November 2017.

[15] Damien Aband European Parliament.

[16] "Les " intergroupes ", face cachée du travail parlementaire". www.europarl.europa.eu (in French). Retrieved 2022-04-05.

[17] "Damien Abad élu président du conseil départemental" (in French). Ain. Le Progress. April 2, 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2017. Translation: "Unsurprisingly, Damien Abad (UMP), leader of the right and center, and only candidate in the running, was elected president of the county council of Ain by 42 votes for and 4 white ballots."

[18] Sandra Méallier. "Ain: Jean Deguerry remplace Damien Abad à la présidence du Département". France 3 Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (in French). france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr. Retrieved 5 November 2017.

[19] "Résultats des élections législatives 2012". l'express (in French). Retrieved 4 May 2017.

[20] "AIN (5)". Le Monde.fr (in French). 2012-06-18. Retrieved 2022-04-05.

[21] Isabelle Gonzalez (18 June 2017). "Damien Abad (LR) réélu haut la main dans la 5e circonscription de l'Ain" (in French). france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr. Retrieved 5 November 2017.

[22] "Christian Jacob réélu président du groupe Les Républicains de l'Assemblée Nationale". Europe 1 (in French). 21 June 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.

[23] "Le groupe LR de l'Assemblée joue la carte du renouvellement - Contexte". www.contexte.com (in French). Retrieved 2022-04-05.

[24] "PROCÉDURE LÉGISLATIVE ET ORGANISATION PARLEMENTAIRE ET DROITS DE L'OPPOSITION". National Assembly (in French). Retrieved 5 November 2017.

[25] "Composition de la commission de la défense nationale et des forces armées". National Assembly (in French). Retrieved 5 November 2017.

[26] "Composition du groupe d'amitié France-Chine". National Assembly (in French). Retrieved 5 November 2017.

[27] Damien Abad Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

[28] Ludovic Vigogne (April 20, 2016), Bataillons: Primaire à droite: la liste des premiers soutiens parlementaires L'Opinion.

[29] Ludovic Vigogne (October 11, 2017), La liste des 136 parrains de Laurent Wauquiez L'Opinion.

[30] Ludovic Vigogne (Novembre 6, 2019), Couronnement: A l'Assemblée, Damien Abad devient le nouveau patron des députés LR L'Opinion.

[31] "Christian Jacob réélu président du groupe Les Républicains de l'Assemblée Nationale". Europe 1 (in French). 21 June 2017. Retrieved 2022-04-10.

[32] "Le groupe LR de l'Assemblée joue la carte du renouvellement - Contexte". www.contexte.com (in French). Retrieved 2022-04-10.

[33] Ludovic Vigogne (12 October 2021), Congrès LR: après le oui de Bertrand, les choses sérieuses commencent L'Opinion.

[34] Dinah Cohen (14 October 2021), Congrès LR : Damien Abad apporte son soutien à Xavier Bertrand Le Figaro.

[35] Maxime Vaudano (24 July 2019), CETA : qui a voté quoi parmi les députés Le Monde.

[36] Stuart Lau (January 25, 2021), G7 lawmakers tell leaders to 'stand up' to China Politico Europe.

[37] Sybille de La Hamaide and Elizabeth Pineau (22 May 2022), Newly appointed French minister denies rape accusations Reuters.

[38] Sybille de La Hamaide and Elizabeth Pineau (22 May 2022), Newly appointed French minister denies rape accusations Reuters.

[39] Tassilo Hummel and Elizabeth Pineau (29 June 2022), French prosecutors investigate government minister after rape accusations Reuters.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{short description|French politician}}
+{{Short description|French politician (born 1980)}}
-{{Expand French|Damien Abad|topic=gov|date=July 2013}}
-{{ infobox officeholder
+{{infobox officeholder
-| name           = Damien Abad
+| name                = Damien Abad
-| image          = Portrait Damien Abad.jpg
+| image               = Damien Abad.jpg
+| office              = [[Deputy (France)|Member]] of the [[National Assembly (France)|National Assembly]]<br />for [[Ain]]'s [[Ain's 5th constituency|5th constituency]]
-| caption        =
+| termstart           = 20 June 2012
-| office         = Leader of [[The Republicans group (National Assembly)|The Republicans]] in the [[National Assembly (France)|National Assembly]]
-| term_start     = 6 November 2019
+| termend             = 9 June 2024
-| term_end       =
+| predecessor         = ''Constituency established''
+| successor           = [[Marc Chavent]]
-| predecessor    = [[Christian Jacob (politician)|Christian Jacob]]
+| office2             = [[Minister of Health (France)|Minister of Solidarity]]
-| successor      =
+| president2          = [[Emmanuel Macron]]
-| office1        = Member of the [[National Assembly (France)|National Assembly]]<br />for [[Ain's 5th constituency]]
+| primeminister2      = [[Élisabeth Borne]]
-| term_start1    = 20 June 2012
-| office2        = Member of the [[Departmental council (France)|Departmental council]] of [[Ain]] <br /><small>for [[Canton of Pont-d'Ain]]</small>
+| predecessor2        = [[Olivier Véran]] <small>(solidarity)</small><br />[[Brigitte Bourguignon]] <small>(personal independence)</small><br />[[Sophie Cluzel]] <small>(disabled)</small>
+| successor2          = [[Jean-Christophe Combe]]
-| term_start2    = 2 April 2015
+| term_start2         = 20 May 2022
-| office3        = President of the [[Departmental council (France)|Departmental council]] of [[Ain]]
-| term_start3    = 2 April 2015
+| term_end2           = 4 July 2022
+| office3             = Leader of [[The Republicans group (National Assembly)|The Republicans]] in the [[National Assembly (France)|National Assembly]]
-| term_end3      = 10 July 2017
+| term_start3         = 6 November 2019
-| predecessor3   = [[Rachel Mazuir]]
-| successor3     = Jean Deguerry
+| term_end3           = 19 May 2022
+| predecessor3        = [[Christian Jacob (politician)|Christian Jacob]]
-| office4        = Member of the [[European Parliament]] for [[South-East France (European Parliament constituency)|South-East France]]
+| successor3          = [[Éric Ciotti]]
-| term_start4    = 14 July 2009
+| office4             = Member of the [[Departmental Council of Ain]] <br /><small>for [[Canton of Pont-d'Ain]]</small>
-| term_end4      = 17 June 2012
+| term_start4         = 2 April 2015
-| birth_date     = {{birth date and age|1980|04|05||df=yes}}
+| office5             = President of the [[Departmental Council of Ain]]
-| birth_place    = [[Nîmes]], [[France]]
+| term_start5         = 2 April 2015
-| nationality    = [[France|French]]
-| party          = [[The Republicans (France)|The Republicans]]
+| term_end5           = 10 July 2017
+| predecessor5        = [[Rachel Mazuir]]
-| education      = [[Institut d'études politiques de Bordeaux|IEP de Bordeaux]]<br />[[Sciences Po|IEP de Paris]]
+| successor5          = Jean Deguerry
+| office6             = Member of the [[European Parliament]] for [[South-East France (European Parliament constituency)|South-East France]]
+| term_start6         = 14 July 2009
+| term_end6           = 17 June 2012
+| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1980|04|05|df=yes}}
+| birth_place         = [[Nîmes]], [[French Fifth Republic|France]]
+| party               = [[Independent politician|Independent]] (2022–present)
+| alma_mater          = [[Institut d'études politiques de Bordeaux|IEP de Bordeaux]]<br>[[Sciences Po]]
+| caption             = Abad in 2017
+| otherparty          = [[Union for French Democracy|UDF]] (until 2007)<br>[[The Centrists|NC]] (2007–2012)<br>[[Union for a Popular Movement|UMP]] (2012–2015)<br>[[The Republicans (France)|LR]] (2015–2022)
 }}
-'''Damien Abad''' (born 5 April 1980) is a French politician of who has served as president of [[The Republicans group (National Assembly)|The Republicans group]] in the [[French National Assembly]] since 2019 and Member of the National Assembly for [[Ain's 1st constituency]] since 2012.
+'''Damien Abad''' ({{IPA|fr|damjɛ̃ abad}}; born 5 April 1980) is a French politician who briefly served as Minister of Solidarity in the [[Borne government|government]] of [[Prime Minister of France|Prime Minister]] [[Élisabeth Borne]] in 2022.<ref>Clea Caulcutt (20 May 2022), [https://www.politico.eu/article/france-emmanuel-macron-ambassador-to-the-uk-new-foreign-affairs-minister-catherine-colonna-eu/ France's UK ambassador promoted to foreign minister in Macron reshuffle] ''[[Politico Europe]]''.</ref><ref>Ingrid Melander and Benoit Van Overstraeten (4 July 2022), [https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/frances-macron-appoint-former-health-minister-veran-spokesman-bfm-tv-2022-07-04/ 'Hang in there', Macron tells ministers in minority government] ''[[Reuters]]''.</ref>
-As part of the [[Union for French Democracy]], [[New Centre]] and then the [[Union for a Popular Movement]], which was later renamed [[The Republicans (France)|The Republicans]], Abad also served as [[Municipal council (France)|municipal councilor]] of [[Vauvert]] from 2008 to 2010, [[Member of the European Parliament]] for [[South-East France (European Parliament constituency)|South-East France]] from 2009 to 2012, [[Regional council (France)|regional councilor]] of [[Rhône-Alpes]] from 2010 to 2015 and [[President of the Departmental Council of Corrèze|president of the departmental council]] of [[Ain]] from 2015 to 2017.
+Abad previously served as Member of the National Assembly for [[Ain's 5th constituency]] from 2012 to 2024, where he was the president of [[The Republicans group (National Assembly)|The Republicans group]] from 2019 to 2022.
+As part of the [[Union for French Democracy]], [[New Centre]] and then the [[Union for a Popular Movement]], which was later renamed [[The Republicans (France)|The Republicans]], Abad also served as [[Municipal council (France)|municipal councilor]] of [[Vauvert]] from 2008 to 2010, [[Member of the European Parliament]] for [[South-East France (European Parliament constituency)|South-East France]] from 2009 to 2012, [[Regional council (France)|regional councilor]] of [[Rhône-Alpes]] from 2010 to 2015 and [[List of presidents of departmental councils (France)|president of the departmental council]] of [[Ain]] from 2015 to 2017.
 == Education and family ==
-Abad's parents live in [[Aubord]] in the department of [[Gard]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-11-06 |title=ASSEMBLÉE Damien Abad, un Gardois pour présider les députés Les Républicains |url=https://www.objectifgard.com/2019/11/06/assemblee-damien-abad-un-gardois-pour-presider-les-deputes-les-republicains/ |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=Objectif Gard |language=fr-FR}}</ref> His father works as a purchasing manager in a large company and comes from a family that had fled [[Francoist Spain]], while his mother is a social worker and gymnastics teacher.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Damien Abad : l'enfant handicapé devenu homme politique |url=https://www.vivrefm.com/posts/2015/04/damien-abad-l-enfant-handicape-devenu-homme-politique |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=www.vivrefm.com |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=à 07h00 |first=Par Le 3 décembre 2012 |date=2012-12-03 |title=Handicapé mais député comme les autres |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/archives/handicape-mais-depute-comme-les-autres-03-12-2012-2374941.php |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=leparisien.fr |language=fr-FR}}</ref>
+Abad's parents live in [[Aubord]] in the department of [[Gard]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-11-06 |title=ASSEMBLÉE Damien Abad, un Gardois pour présider les députés Les Républicains |url=https://www.objectifgard.com/2019/11/06/assemblee-damien-abad-un-gardois-pour-presider-les-deputes-les-republicains/ |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=Objectif Gard |language=fr-FR}}</ref> His father works as a purchasing manager in a large company and comes from a family that had fled [[Francoist Spain]], while his mother is a social worker and gymnastics teacher.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Damien Abad: l'enfant handicapé devenu homme politique |url=https://www.vivrefm.com/posts/2015/04/damien-abad-l-enfant-handicape-devenu-homme-politique |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=www.vivrefm.com |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=à 07h00 |first=Par Le 3 décembre 2012 |date=2012-12-03 |title=Handicapé mais député comme les autres |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/archives/handicape-mais-depute-comme-les-autres-03-12-2012-2374941.php |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=leparisien.fr |language=fr-FR}}</ref>
-In secondary school, Abad attended the Vallée Verte college and the [[Secondary education in France|Lycée]] Alphonse-Daudet before beginning his university education at [[Sciences Po]] Bordeaux. He graduated from Sciences Po Paris in 2004 and then became a [[lecturer]] for the school.
+In secondary school, Abad attended the Vallée Verte college and the [[Secondary education in France|Lycée]] Alphonse-Daudet before beginning his university education at [[Institut d'études politiques de Bordeaux|Sciences Po Bordeaux]]. He graduated from [[Sciences Po]] in [[Paris]] in 2004 and then became a [[lecturer]] for the school.
-Abad has [[arthrogryposis]], a rare disease and physical disability. Many media outlets consider him the only or even the first member of the National Assembly to have this condition.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-06-20 |title=Damien Abad: "L'important pour un député, c'est de ne pas se couper du terrain" |url=https://www.lexpress.fr//www.lexpress.fr/actualite/politique/video-damien-abad-l-important-pour-un-depute-c-est-de-ne-pas-se-couper-du-terrain_1128529.html |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=www.lexpress.fr |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Forêt |first=Élodie |date=2020-02-11 |title="Le handicap doit entrer dans le droit commun" : portrait de Damien Abad, premier (et seul) député handicapé |url=https://www.franceinter.fr/le-handicap-doit-entrer-dans-le-droit-commun-portrait-de-damien-abad-premier-et-seul-depute-handicape |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=www.franceinter.fr |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=à 07h00 |first=Par Le 3 décembre 2012 |date=2012-12-03 |title=Handicapé mais député comme les autres |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/archives/handicape-mais-depute-comme-les-autres-03-12-2012-2374941.php |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=leparisien.fr |language=fr-FR}}</ref>
+Abad has [[arthrogryposis]], a rare disease and physical disability. Many media outlets consider him the only or even the first member of the National Assembly to be [[disabled]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-06-20 |title=Damien Abad: "L'important pour un député, c'est de ne pas se couper du terrain" |url=https://www.lexpress.fr//www.lexpress.fr/actualite/politique/video-damien-abad-l-important-pour-un-depute-c-est-de-ne-pas-se-couper-du-terrain_1128529.html |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=www.lexpress.fr |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Forêt |first=Élodie |date=2020-02-11 |title="Le handicap doit entrer dans le droit commun": portrait de Damien Abad, premier (et seul) député handicapé |url=https://www.franceinter.fr/le-handicap-doit-entrer-dans-le-droit-commun-portrait-de-damien-abad-premier-et-seul-depute-handicape |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=www.franceinter.fr |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=à 07h00 |first=Par Le 3 décembre 2012 |date=2012-12-03 |title=Handicapé mais député comme les autres |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/archives/handicape-mais-depute-comme-les-autres-03-12-2012-2374941.php |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=leparisien.fr |language=fr-FR}}</ref>
 ==Political career==
 === Beginnings in the UDF and New Centre, 2006–2009 ===
-In 2006, Abad was put in charge of budgetary and fiscal studies in the Union for French Democracy (UDF) group and then the New Centre group in the [[National Assembly (France)|National Assembly]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abad |first=Damien |title=Portrait |url=http://damien-abad.fr/portrait/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/index2.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fdamien-abad.fr%2Fportrait%2F#federation=archive.wikiwix.com |archive-date=21 June 2016 |access-date=13 May 2016 |website=Damien Abad}}</ref> He was a candidate for [[Yvelines' 5th constituency]] in the [[2007 French legislative election|2007 French legislative elections]], where he won 3.17% of the vote.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Résultats des élections législatives 2007 |url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/LG2007/078/circons05.html}}</ref> In 2008, Abad founded the Young Centrists movement, which was affiliated with the New Centre, and was virtually unanimously elected its first president in May.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-04-02 |title=Damien Abad, ex-centriste devenu UMP, prend la tête de l’Ain |language=fr |work=Le Monde.fr |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/elections-departementales-2015/article/2015/04/02/damien-abad-ex-centriste-devenu-ump-prend-la-tete-de-l-ain_4608472_4572524.html |access-date=2022-04-05}}</ref> He left this position to become joint General Secretary of New Centre in 2010.
+In 2006, Abad was put in charge of budgetary and fiscal studies in the Union for French Democracy (UDF) group and then the New Centre group in the [[National Assembly (France)|National Assembly]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abad |first=Damien |title=Portrait |url=http://damien-abad.fr/portrait/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502021414/http://www.damien-abad.fr/portrait/#federation=archive.wikiwix.com |archive-date=2 May 2016 |access-date=13 May 2016 |website=Damien Abad |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> He was a candidate for [[Yvelines' 5th constituency]] in the [[2007 French legislative election]]s, where he won 3.17% of the vote.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Résultats des élections législatives 2007 |url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/LG2007/078/circons05.html}}</ref> In 2008, Abad founded the Young Centrists movement, which was affiliated with the New Centre, and was virtually unanimously elected its first president in May.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-04-02 |title=Damien Abad, ex-centriste devenu UMP, prend la tête de l'Ain |language=fr |work=Le Monde.fr |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/elections-departementales-2015/article/2015/04/02/damien-abad-ex-centriste-devenu-ump-prend-la-tete-de-l-ain_4608472_4572524.html |access-date=2022-04-05}}</ref> He left this position to become joint General Secretary of New Centre in 2010.
-In 2008, Abad was elected to the municipal council of [[Vauvert]] on the list of mayor Gérard Gayaud. He then resigned after winning a seat on the [[Regional Council of Rhône-Alpes|regional council of Rhône-Alpes]], where he sat on the Employment, Economy, Social and Solidarity Economy, and Social Innovation Committee as well as the Sports and Youth Committee.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 January 2010 |title=Régionales : l'UMP a découvert son leader, Damien Abad |url=http://www.leprogres.fr/fr/region/l-ain/ain/article/2610742,179/Regionales-l-UMP-a-decouvert-son-leader-Damien-Abad.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/index2.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.leprogres.fr%2Ffr%2Fregion%2Fl-ain%2Fain%2Farticle%2F2610742%2C179%2FRegionales-l-UMP-a-decouvert-son-leader-Damien-Abad.html#federation=archive.wikiwix.com |archive-date=25 January 2010 |website=Le Progrès}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rhône-Alpes |first=Région Auvergne |title=Tribunes des groupes politiques |url=https://www.auvergnerhonealpes.fr/39-tribunes-des-groupes-politiques.htm |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=www.auvergnerhonealpes.fr |language=fr}}</ref>
+In 2008, Abad was elected to the municipal council of [[Vauvert]] on the list of mayor Gérard Gayaud. He then resigned after winning a seat on the [[Regional Council of Rhône-Alpes|regional council of Rhône-Alpes]], where he sat on the Employment, Economy, Social and Solidarity Economy, and Social Innovation Committee as well as the Sports and Youth Committee.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 January 2010 |title=Régionales: l'UMP a découvert son leader, Damien Abad |url=http://www.leprogres.fr/fr/region/l-ain/ain/article/2610742,179/Regionales-l-UMP-a-decouvert-son-leader-Damien-Abad.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100126095140/http://www.leprogres.fr/fr/region/l-ain/ain/article/2610742,179/Regionales-l-UMP-a-decouvert-son-leader-Damien-Abad.html#federation=archive.wikiwix.com |archive-date=26 January 2010 |website=Le Progrès |access-date=10 April 2022 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rhône-Alpes |first=Région Auvergne |title=Tribunes des groupes politiques |url=https://www.auvergnerhonealpes.fr/39-tribunes-des-groupes-politiques.htm |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=www.auvergnerhonealpes.fr |language=fr}}</ref>
 ===Member of the European Parliament, 2009–2012===
-In the [[2009 European Parliament election|2009 European elections]], Abad was elected [[Member of the European Parliament]] on the [[Union for a Popular Movement]] (UMP) list in the [[South-East France (European Parliament constituency)|South-East France]] constituency, with the UMP having formed an alliance with New Centre for the elections. At the age of 29, Abad became the youngest French MEP, the youngest French parliamentarian in office and one of the youngest elected members of the European Parliament.<ref>{{cite web |author=La Depeche |date= |title=Damien Abad en passe de devenir le benjamin des euro-députés |url=http://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2009/05/27/612959-damien-abad-passe-devenir-benjamin-euro-deputes.html |publisher=La Depeche |language=fr |accessdate=5 November 2017}}</ref> During his time in parliament, he frequently spoke about economic issues, especially in terms of industrial policy, social services and consumer protection. He also founded the youth [[Intergroups in the European Parliament|intergroup]] and served on the [[Committee on Budgets]] (2009–2012) and on the [[Committee on International Trade]] (2012). In addition to his committee assignments, he was part of the parliament’s delegation for relations with the [[Palestinian Legislative Council]].<ref>[http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/96850/DAMIEN_ABAD/history/7 Damien Aband] [[European Parliament]].</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Les « intergroupes », face cachée du travail parlementaire |url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?language=FR&type=IM-PRESS&reference=20100226STO69647 |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=www.europarl.europa.eu |language=fr}}</ref> Abad's MEP office was located in [[Bourg-en-Bresse]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wayback Machine |url=https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.leprogres.fr/fr/permalien/article/3391756/Herve-Morin-le-centre-sera-present-a-la-presidentielle.html |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref>
+In the [[2009 European Parliament election|2009 European elections]], Abad was elected [[Member of the European Parliament]] on the [[Union for a Popular Movement]] (UMP) list in the [[South-East France (European Parliament constituency)|South-East France]] constituency, with the UMP having formed an alliance with New Centre for the elections. At the age of 29, Abad became the youngest French MEP, the youngest French parliamentarian in office and one of the youngest elected members of the European Parliament.<ref>{{cite web |author=La Depeche |date= |title=Damien Abad en passe de devenir le benjamin des euro-députés |url=http://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2009/05/27/612959-damien-abad-passe-devenir-benjamin-euro-deputes.html |publisher=La Depeche |language=fr |access-date=5 November 2017}}</ref> During his time in parliament, he frequently spoke about economic issues, especially in terms of industrial policy, social services and consumer protection. He also founded the youth [[Intergroups in the European Parliament|intergroup]] and served on the [[Committee on Budgets]] (2009–2012) and on the [[Committee on International Trade]] (2012). In addition to his committee assignments, he was part of the parliament's delegation for relations with the [[Palestinian Legislative Council]].<ref>[http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/96850/DAMIEN_ABAD/history/7 Damien Aband] [[European Parliament]].</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Les " intergroupes ", face cachée du travail parlementaire |url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?language=FR&type=IM-PRESS&reference=20100226STO69647 |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=www.europarl.europa.eu |language=fr}}</ref> Abad's MEP office was located in [[Bourg-en-Bresse]].{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}
-On 2 April 2015, Abad was elected as the President of the [[Departmental council (France)|Departmental council]] of [[Ain]].<ref>{{cite news |date=April 2, 2015 |title=Damien Abad élu président du conseil départemental |language=French |agency=Le Progress |location=Ain |url=http://www.leprogres.fr/ain/2015/04/02/damien-abad-president-du-conseil-departemental |quote=Translation: "Unsurprisingly, Damien Abad (UMP), leader of the right and center, and only candidate in the running, was elected president of the county council of Ain by 42 votes for and 4 white ballots." |accessdate=4 May 2017}}</ref> Due to the limitation of the [[Cumul des mandats|plurality of the mandates]], he resigned from his position on 10 July 2017.<ref>{{cite news |author=Sandra Méallier |date= |title=Ain : Jean Deguerry remplace Damien Abad à la présidence du Département |language=fr |newspaper=France 3 Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes |publisher=france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr |url=http://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/auvergne-rhone-alpes/ain/ain-jean-deguerry-remplace-damien-abad-presidence-du-departement-1295235.html |accessdate=5 November 2017}}</ref>
+On 2 April 2015, Abad was elected as the President of the [[Departmental Council of Ain|departmental council of Ain]].<ref>{{cite news |date=April 2, 2015 |title=Damien Abad élu président du conseil départemental |language=French |agency=Le Progress |location=Ain |url=http://www.leprogres.fr/ain/2015/04/02/damien-abad-president-du-conseil-departemental |quote=Translation: "Unsurprisingly, Damien Abad (UMP), leader of the right and center, and only candidate in the running, was elected president of the county council of Ain by 42 votes for and 4 white ballots." |access-date=4 May 2017}}</ref> Due to the limitation of the [[Cumul des mandats|plurality of the mandates]], he resigned from his position on 10 July 2017.<ref>{{cite news |author=Sandra Méallier |date= |title=Ain: Jean Deguerry remplace Damien Abad à la présidence du Département |language=fr |newspaper=France 3 Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes |publisher=france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr |url=http://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/auvergne-rhone-alpes/ain/ain-jean-deguerry-remplace-damien-abad-presidence-du-departement-1295235.html |access-date=5 November 2017}}</ref>
-===Member of the National Assembly, 2012–present===
+===Member of the National Assembly, 2012–2024===
-In the [[2012 French legislative election|2012 French legislative elections]], Abad ran to represent [[Ain's 5th constituency]] as a member of the [[Union for a Popular Movement]]. He was elected with 28.79% of the vote in the first round and 56% in the second round against [[Socialist Party (France)|Socialist]] candidate Josiane Exposito.<ref>{{cite web |title=Résultats des élections législatives 2012 |url=http://www.lexpress.fr/resultats-elections/legislatives-2012-ain-5eme-circonscription_337605.html |website=l'express |language=French |accessdate=4 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-06-18 |title=AIN (5) |language=fr |work=Le Monde.fr |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2012/06/18/ain-5_1720580_823448.html |access-date=2022-04-05}}</ref> During that year's election of the President of the National Assembly, Abad was chosen as secretary of the session as one of the six youngest members.
+In the [[2012 French legislative election]]s, Abad ran to represent [[Ain's 5th constituency]] as a member of the [[Union for a Popular Movement]]. He was elected with 28.79% of the vote in the first round and 56% in the second round against [[Socialist Party (France)|Socialist]] candidate Josiane Exposito.<ref>{{cite web |title=Résultats des élections législatives 2012 |url=http://www.lexpress.fr/resultats-elections/legislatives-2012-ain-5eme-circonscription_337605.html |website=l'express |language=French |access-date=4 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-06-18 |title=AIN (5) |language=fr |work=Le Monde.fr |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2012/06/18/ain-5_1720580_823448.html |access-date=2022-04-05}}</ref> During that year's election of the President of the National Assembly, Abad was chosen as secretary of the session as one of the six youngest members.
-Abad was reelected to the National Assembly in the [[2017 French legislative election|2017 French legislative elections]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Isabelle Gonzalez |date= |title=Damien Abad (LR) réélu haut la main dans la 5e circonscription de l'Ain |url=http://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/auvergne-rhone-alpes/ain/bourg-bresse/damien-abad-lr-reelu-haut-main-5e-circonscription-ain-1275981.html |publisher=france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr |language=fr |accessdate=5 November 2017}}</ref> He subsequently stood as a candidate for the presidency of [[The Republicans group (National Assembly)|The Republicans group]] in the Assembly against [[Christian Jacob (politician)|Christian Jacob]], who won with 62 votes against Abad's 32.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Christian Jacob réélu président du groupe Les Républicains de l'Assemblée Nationale |url=http://www.europe1.fr/politique/christian-jacob-reelu-president-du-groupe-les-republicains-de-lassemblee-nationale-3367901 |work=Europe 1 |language=French |accessdate=5 November 2017}}</ref> Abad was then appointed as the group's first vice-president, serving from 2017 to 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Le groupe LR de l’Assemblée joue la carte du renouvellement - Contexte |url=https://www.contexte.com/article/pouvoirs/le-groupe-lr-de-lassemblee-tourne-la-page_107487.html |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=www.contexte.com |language=fr}}</ref>
+Abad was reelected to the National Assembly in the [[2017 French legislative election]]s.<ref>{{cite web |author=Isabelle Gonzalez |date= 18 June 2017|title=Damien Abad (LR) réélu haut la main dans la 5e circonscription de l'Ain |url=http://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/auvergne-rhone-alpes/ain/bourg-bresse/damien-abad-lr-reelu-haut-main-5e-circonscription-ain-1275981.html |publisher=france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr |language=fr |access-date=5 November 2017}}</ref> He subsequently stood as a candidate for the presidency of [[The Republicans group (National Assembly)|The Republicans group]] in the Assembly against [[Christian Jacob (politician)|Christian Jacob]], who won with 62 votes against Abad's 32.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Christian Jacob réélu président du groupe Les Républicains de l'Assemblée Nationale |url=http://www.europe1.fr/politique/christian-jacob-reelu-president-du-groupe-les-republicains-de-lassemblee-nationale-3367901 |work=Europe 1 |date=21 June 2017 |language=French |access-date=5 November 2017}}</ref> Abad was then appointed as the group's first vice-president, serving from 2017 to 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Le groupe LR de l'Assemblée joue la carte du renouvellement - Contexte |url=https://www.contexte.com/article/pouvoirs/le-groupe-lr-de-lassemblee-tourne-la-page_107487.html |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=www.contexte.com |language=fr}}</ref>
-Abad currently serves on the National Defence and Armed Forces Committee, the European Affairs Committee and the Working Group on the Legislative Procedure, Parliamentary Organization and the Rights of the Opposition.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PROCÉDURE LÉGISLATIVE ET ORGANISATION PARLEMENTAIRE ET DROITS DE L'OPPOSITION |url=http://www2.assemblee-nationale.fr/qui/pour-une-nouvelle-assemblee-nationale-les-rendez-vous-des-reformes-2017-2022/procedure-legislative-et-droits-de-l-opposition/(block)/43850 |work=National Assembly |language=French |accessdate=5 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Composition de la commission de la défense nationale et des forces armées |url=http://www2.assemblee-nationale.fr/instances/fiche/OMC_PO59046 |work=National Assembly |language=French |accessdate=5 November 2017}}</ref> He is also vice-president of the [[France]]-[[China]] Friendship Group.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Composition du groupe d'amitié France-Chine |url=http://www2.assemblee-nationale.fr/instances/fiche/OMC_PO733117 |work=National Assembly |language=French |accessdate=5 November 2017}}</ref>
+Abad serves on the National Defence and Armed Forces Committee, the European Affairs Committee and the Working Group on the Legislative Procedure, Parliamentary Organization and the Rights of the Opposition.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PROCÉDURE LÉGISLATIVE ET ORGANISATION PARLEMENTAIRE ET DROITS DE L'OPPOSITION |url=http://www2.assemblee-nationale.fr/qui/pour-une-nouvelle-assemblee-nationale-les-rendez-vous-des-reformes-2017-2022/procedure-legislative-et-droits-de-l-opposition/(block)/43850 |work=National Assembly |language=French |access-date=5 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Composition de la commission de la défense nationale et des forces armées |url=http://www2.assemblee-nationale.fr/instances/fiche/OMC_PO59046 |work=National Assembly |language=French |access-date=5 November 2017}}</ref> He is also vice-president of the [[France]]-[[China]] Friendship Group.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Composition du groupe d'amitié France-Chine |url=http://www2.assemblee-nationale.fr/instances/fiche/OMC_PO733117 |work=National Assembly |language=French |access-date=5 November 2017}}</ref>
 In addition to his work in parliament, Abad has served as member of the French delegation to the [[Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe]] from 2014 until 2017 and since 2017. In this capacity, he is a member of the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development.<ref>[https://assembly.coe.int/nw/xml/AssemblyList/MP-Details-EN.asp?MemberID=7255 Damien Abad] [[Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe]].</ref>
-In The Republicans’ [[2016 The Republicans (France) presidential primary|2016 presidential primaries]], Abad endorsed [[Bruno Le Maire]] as the party’s candidate for [[President of France]].<ref>Ludovic Vigogne (April 20, 2016), [https://www.lopinion.fr/edition/politique/primaire-a-droite-liste-premiers-soutiens-parlementaires-101334 Bataillons: Primaire à droite: la liste des premiers soutiens parlementaires] ''[[L'Opinion (French newspaper)|L'Opinion]]''.</ref> In the party's [[2017 The Republicans (France) leadership election|2017 leadership election]], he endorsed [[Laurent Wauquiez]].<ref>Ludovic Vigogne (October 11, 2017), [https://www.lopinion.fr/edition/politique/liste-136-parrains-laurent-wauquiez-135723 La liste des 136 parrains de Laurent Wauquiez] ''[[L'Opinion (French newspaper)|L'Opinion]]''.</ref>
+In The Republicans' [[2016 The Republicans (France) presidential primary|2016 presidential primaries]], Abad endorsed [[Bruno Le Maire]] as the party's candidate for [[President of France]].<ref>Ludovic Vigogne (April 20, 2016), [https://www.lopinion.fr/edition/politique/primaire-a-droite-liste-premiers-soutiens-parlementaires-101334 Bataillons: Primaire à droite: la liste des premiers soutiens parlementaires] ''[[L'Opinion (French newspaper)|L'Opinion]]''.</ref> In the party's [[2017 The Republicans (France) leadership election|2017 leadership election]], he endorsed [[Laurent Wauquiez]].<ref>Ludovic Vigogne (October 11, 2017), [https://www.lopinion.fr/edition/politique/liste-136-parrains-laurent-wauquiez-135723 La liste des 136 parrains de Laurent Wauquiez] ''[[L'Opinion (French newspaper)|L'Opinion]]''.</ref>
-Following Christian Jacob's election as president of The Republicans, Abad again ran for the leadership of the party's parliamentary group in November 2019. He won by 64 votes over [[Olivier Marleix]], who received 37 votes.<ref>Ludovic Vigogne (Novembre 6, 2019), [https://www.lopinion.fr/edition/politique/a-l-assemblee-damien-abad-devient-nouveau-patron-deputes-lr-202371 Couronnement: A l’Assemblée, Damien Abad devient le nouveau patron des députés LR] ''[[L'Opinion (French newspaper)|L'Opinion]]''.</ref> The news website ''Contexte'' commented that the result represented an end to the "old divisions between "[[Nicolas Sarkozy|Sarkozystes]]," "[[François Fillon|Fillonistes]]" and "[[Alain Juppé|Juppéistes]],"" with Abad being able to present "a profile that reassures members of the National Assembly of the old generation without cutting off those who were newly elected in 2017, who form half of the party's parliamentary group."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Christian Jacob réélu président du groupe Les Républicains de l'Assemblée Nationale |url=https://www.europe1.fr/politique/christian-jacob-reelu-president-du-groupe-les-republicains-de-lassemblee-nationale-3367901 |access-date=2022-04-10 |website=Europe 1 |language=fr}}</ref> It also noted Abad's "positioning as an independent man" who "owes nothing to Christian Jacob," while Marleix had suffered from a report in ''[[Le Canard enchaîné]]'' portraying him as the previous leader's handpicked candidate.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Le groupe LR de l’Assemblée joue la carte du renouvellement - Contexte |url=https://www.contexte.com/article/pouvoirs/le-groupe-lr-de-lassemblee-tourne-la-page_107487.html |access-date=2022-04-10 |website=www.contexte.com |language=fr}}</ref>
+Following Christian Jacob's election as president of The Republicans, Abad again ran for the leadership of the party's parliamentary group in November 2019. He won by 64 votes over [[Olivier Marleix]], who received 37 votes.<ref>Ludovic Vigogne (Novembre 6, 2019), [https://www.lopinion.fr/edition/politique/a-l-assemblee-damien-abad-devient-nouveau-patron-deputes-lr-202371 Couronnement: A l'Assemblée, Damien Abad devient le nouveau patron des députés LR] ''[[L'Opinion (French newspaper)|L'Opinion]]''.</ref> The news website ''Contexte'' commented that the result represented an end to the "old divisions between "[[Nicolas Sarkozy|Sarkozystes]]," "[[François Fillon|Fillonistes]]" and "[[Alain Juppé|Juppéistes]],"" with Abad being able to present "a profile that reassures members of the National Assembly of the old generation without cutting off those who were newly elected in 2017, who form half of the party's parliamentary group."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Christian Jacob réélu président du groupe Les Républicains de l'Assemblée Nationale |url=https://www.europe1.fr/politique/christian-jacob-reelu-president-du-groupe-les-republicains-de-lassemblee-nationale-3367901 |access-date=2022-04-10 |website=Europe 1 |date=21 June 2017 |language=fr}}</ref> It also noted Abad's "positioning as an independent man" who "owes nothing to Christian Jacob," while Marleix had suffered from a report in ''[[Le Canard enchaîné]]'' portraying him as the previous leader's handpicked candidate.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Le groupe LR de l'Assemblée joue la carte du renouvellement - Contexte |url=https://www.contexte.com/article/pouvoirs/le-groupe-lr-de-lassemblee-tourne-la-page_107487.html |access-date=2022-04-10 |website=www.contexte.com |language=fr}}</ref>
-At The Republicans’ national convention in December 2021, Abad was part of the 11-member committee which oversaw the party’s selection of its candidate for the [[2022 French presidential election|2022 presidential elections]].<ref>Ludovic Vigogne (12 October 2021), [https://www.lopinion.fr/politique/congres-lr-apres-le-oui-de-bertrand-les-choses-serieuses-commencent Congrès LR: après le oui de Bertrand, les choses sérieuses commencent] ''[[L'Opinion (French newspaper)|L'Opinion]]''.</ref> He himself endorsed [[Xavier Bertrand]] for Republican nominee.<ref>Dinah Cohen (14 October 2021), [https://www.lefigaro.fr/elections/presidentielles/congres-lr-damien-abad-apporte-son-soutien-a-xavier-bertrand-20211014 Congrès LR : Damien Abad apporte son soutien à Xavier Bertrand] ''[[Le Figaro]]''.</ref>
+At The Republicans' national convention in December 2021, Abad was part of the 11-member committee which oversaw the party's selection of its candidate for the [[2022 French presidential election|2022 presidential elections]].<ref>Ludovic Vigogne (12 October 2021), [https://www.lopinion.fr/politique/congres-lr-apres-le-oui-de-bertrand-les-choses-serieuses-commencent Congrès LR: après le oui de Bertrand, les choses sérieuses commencent] ''[[L'Opinion (French newspaper)|L'Opinion]]''.</ref> He himself endorsed [[Xavier Bertrand]] for Republican nominee.<ref>Dinah Cohen (14 October 2021), [https://www.lefigaro.fr/elections/presidentielles/congres-lr-damien-abad-apporte-son-soutien-a-xavier-bertrand-20211014 Congrès LR : Damien Abad apporte son soutien à Xavier Bertrand] ''[[Le Figaro]]''.</ref>
+He was reelected in the [[2022 French legislative election|2022 election]]. In the [[2024 French legislative election|2024 election]], he came third in the first round, and lost his seat.
 ==Political positions==
-In July 2019, Abad voted against the French ratification of the [[European Union]]’s [[Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement]] (CETA) with [[Canada]].<ref>Maxime Vaudano (24 July 2019), [https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2019/07/24/ceta-qui-a-vote-quoi-parmi-les-deputes_5493039_4355770.html CETA : qui a voté quoi parmi les députés] ''[[Le Monde]]''.</ref>
+In July 2019, Abad voted against the French ratification of the [[European Union]]'s [[Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement]] (CETA) with [[Canada]].<ref>Maxime Vaudano (24 July 2019), [https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2019/07/24/ceta-qui-a-vote-quoi-parmi-les-deputes_5493039_4355770.html CETA : qui a voté quoi parmi les députés] ''[[Le Monde]]''.</ref>
-In a joint letter initiated by [[Norbert Röttgen]] and [[Anthony Gonzalez (politician)|Anthony Gonzalez]] ahead of the [[47th G7 summit]] in 2021, Abad joined some 70 legislators from Europe and the US in calling upon their leaders to take a tough stance on China and to "avoid becoming dependent" on the country for technology including [[artificial intelligence]] and [[5G]].<ref>Stuart Lau (January 25, 2021), [https://www.politico.eu/article/g7-lawmakers-tell-leaders-to-stand-up-to-china/ G7 lawmakers tell leaders to ‘stand up’ to China] ''[[Politico Europe]]''.</ref>
+In a joint letter initiated by [[Norbert Röttgen]] and [[Anthony Gonzalez (politician)|Anthony Gonzalez]] ahead of the [[47th G7 summit]] in 2021, Abad joined some 70 legislators from [[Europe]] and the [[United States|US]] in calling upon their leaders to take a tough stance on [[China]] and to "avoid becoming dependent" on the country for technology including [[artificial intelligence]] and [[5G]].<ref>Stuart Lau (January 25, 2021), [https://www.politico.eu/article/g7-lawmakers-tell-leaders-to-stand-up-to-china/ G7 lawmakers tell leaders to 'stand up' to China] ''[[Politico Europe]]''.</ref>
+==Controversy==
+According to an investigation published by ''[[Mediapart]]'' on May 21, 2022, Abad has been implicated by two women, unrelated to each other, for acts of rape which they believe occurred in 2010 and 2011. A report was sent on May 16 to those responsible for the two parties Les Républicains and Renaissance by the Observatory of sexist and sexual violence in politics. Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne assured that she discovered the existence of the report in ''Mediapart''.<ref>Sybille de La Hamaide and Elizabeth Pineau (22 May 2022), [https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/newly-appointed-french-minister-denies-rape-accusations-2022-05-22/ Newly appointed French minister denies rape accusations] ''[[Reuters]]''.</ref> On May 20, [[Christophe Castaner]] denied having received the report. The Paris prosecutor's office confirmed the existence of two complaints filed by the same complainant and dismissed in 2012 and 2017.
+In a letter also published by ''Mediapart'', Abad rejected the accusations and "strongly affirms that the sexual relations that [he has] been able to have have always been based on the principle of mutual consent". He affirmed that his handicap makes impossible a certain number of the acts which are reproached to him, the presumed victims affirming for their part that he uses his handicap to make them feel guilty.<ref>Sybille de La Hamaide and Elizabeth Pineau (22 May 2022), [https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/newly-appointed-french-minister-denies-rape-accusations-2022-05-22/ Newly appointed French minister denies rape accusations] ''[[Reuters]]''.</ref>
+In June 2022, the Paris prosecution office opened an investigation into Abad, on suspicion of attempted rape.<ref>Tassilo Hummel and Elizabeth Pineau (29 June 2022), [https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/french-prosecutors-investigate-government-minister-after-rape-accusations-2022-06-29/ French prosecutors investigate government minister after rape accusations] ''[[Reuters]]''.</ref>
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+[[Category:The Republicans (France) politicians]]
+[[Category:Government ministers of France]]
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-[[Category:Deputies for Ain (French Fifth Republic)]]
+[[Category:Deputies of the 16th National Assembly of the French Fifth Republic]]
+[[Category:Members of Parliament for Ain]]
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-[[Category:People with arthrogryposis]]
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-[[Category:Presidents of French departments]]
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+[[Category:Presidents of French departments]]
+[[Category:Departmental councillors (France)]]
+[[Category:Sciences Po alumni]]
+[[Category:People with arthrogryposis]]
+[[Category:Candidates for the 2007 French legislative election]]